Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2007
45 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the way he is addressing the concerns of female long-term members and NCOs, as regards the unequal potential for promotion, the anti-social hours and service requirements unfriendly to families, reported in the Retention and Recruitment of Women in the Defence Forces issued by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22088/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and equal treatment for men and women in the Defence Forces (Army, Air Corps, Naval Service) including the Reserve Defence Force, and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
In effect, this means that women are eligible, on the same basis as men, for participation in operational and ceremonial activities, for assignment to all military appointments and educational and training courses and for promotion. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts. All promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit.
The Defence Force Equality and Equal Status Policies underpin equality legislation and state that:
Men and Women have equal opportunities for employment and for advancement on the basis on merit and ability and that differences between women and men are not used unjustly or unfairly to favour a man over a woman or a woman over a man. It is not an option to promote someone simply because they are a woman or a man.
This policy and the relevant procedures are reviewed along with Defence Forces regulations on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with best practice and to maintain a working environment that treats all members of the Defence Forces in a manner consistent with equal opportunities.
Work-life balance initiatives of term time and career breaks in addition to the statutory entitlements such as Parental Leave, Carer's Leave and Force Majeure Leave are available to all members of the Defence Forces.
Promotion arrangements for enlisted personnel are currently the subject of discussion between my Department and the Representative Associations. I have made it clear that the policy of the Department is to produce a merit-based system of promotion that is gender neutral. That should provide the best person for the job.
I recognise that requirements such as overseas service and service at sea places high demands on both men and women. However the requirements to serve overseas and at sea are a basic and necessary part of the job of the soldier and sailor. My Department and the Defence Forces continually seek to improve the work environment. For example a new patrol duty rota has recently been introduced in the Naval Service, this should have a positive impact on personnel without compromising the service provided.
Other developments that emerge in the areas of family friendly policies generally will be reviewed positively to determine if they can be accommodated to the operational requirements of the Defence Forces.
On the TNS MRBI report on recruitment and retention of women, it should be remembered that, on balance, the results of the research are very positive. The report reveals that women serving in the Defence Forces have a positive attitude to their job with over 75% of respondents thinking that the Defence Forces is a good place to work and over 73% reporting that they enjoyed their job.
There are challenges identified in the report that we are continuing to address. I am committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces provides members with a challenging and rewarding career and a supportive working environment.
